Dumka, March 13: Civic body posts may be reserved for women but husbands are running the show here.

“My conservative in-laws never want me to leave the house but my ambitious husband pushed me into the poll arena,” said a candidate on condition of anonymity.

The husbands believe that their wives can bring about a change. “My wife can change the scenario as she is a dedicated social worker, particularly in the field of education,” said a resident, whose wife is in the running for the chairman of the civic body.

Another said: “My pretty wife will certainly win the poll as she looks like a film star.”

One husband even claimed that to be inspired by the tale of Lalu Prasad-Rabri Devi.

But voters seem to be wiser. “Influential politicians such as Shibu Soren and Stephen Marandi have been representing the Lok Sabha and Assembly seats for 30 years but hardly made any major contribution for development here. Would the winning candidate be able to change the fate of Dumka?” asked a resident.

“Most candidates jump into the polls without any preparations,” said another.

Bani Sengupta, the former principal of SP Mahila College, who is in the fray for the chairman’s chair, said such candidates are making use of the special privilege given to them (reservation). The spinster lambasted the husbands.